By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The proposal to change the area where liquor is allowed on the Kansas State Fairgrounds was a brief topic of discussion at the Hutchinson City Council meeting Tuesday.
"There's a part of that bill that also makes changes to how that revenue that's derived during the state fair from the liquor tax is distributed," said City Manager John Deardoff. "As of now, we get our share of that through the liquor tax fund."
It's not that it's a large sum of money in the grand scheme, but the City of Hutchinson would lose more than other taxing entities.
"The fiscal note on that from the state is about $26,000," Deardoff said. "Probably 95% of that is to the City of Hutch. It would remain with the State Fair."
Deardoff was asked by the League of Kansas Municipalities if the City wanted to take a position on the issue.
"We get about $300,000 a year from the liquor fund," Deardoff said. "A third of that goes to special parks, a third of it to the general fund and a third to the special alcohol fund. It's not a huge impact either way, it's going to affect them about $8000 a year."
In light of that, the council reached consensus to remain neutral on the issue, especially since the bill actually coming to a vote this session doesn't seem likely at this point.